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Category Archives: Soul Food

I started Arizona Restaurant Week off with a bang by eating at Southern Rail Restaurant. I had the pleasure of dining at award-winning Chef Justin Beckett’s restaurant Beckett’s Table during Restaurant Week in 2012 and really enjoyed that experience. I recently sat in on one of his cooking demos and was looking forward to eating at one of his establishments. Southern Rail is his most recent kitchen that opened in 2014. Located inside The Newton (former home of The Beef Eaters) and right off the Valley Metro light rail path, SR has become a popular dining destination for Valley foodies. The Newton is a mixed-use concept space where you can shop, read or dine. In addition to Southern Rail, there is a Changing Hands bookstore, Southwest Gardener and First Draft Book Bar.

Southern Rail is a beautiful restaurant with lots of open space. It has an open kitchen and a large size patio/bar area. Its rustic-style, nostalgic decor that gives off a warm, hospitable feel. The food has an American Southern theme to it with flavors inspired by dishes from Georgia to Alabama to Mississippi. They also have an award-winning wine list along with a selection of local craft beers. With the Restaurant Week menu, you have the option of choosing from three different menu items for each of your three courses for dinner. Because it was my first time, I went with some of their signature dishes. The cup of Gumbo Ya-Ya for appetizer, the Cider Brined and Slow Roasted Pork Loin for my main course and their delicious Red Velvet cake for dessert. Also included was a local beer (I got one my favs – San Tan Kiltlifter). I was met with great service and enjoyed every bite.

Gumbo Soup Ya-Ya

Cider Brined and Slow Roasted Pork Loin

Red Velvet Cake

Southern Rail was a wonderful culinary experience for me. The Gumbo soup was full of flavor and delicious. The Pork Loin was nice and tender and you can’t go wrong with the Red Velvet cake. I’m a huge fan of Chef Beckett and his influence on the growing food culture here in the Valley of the Sun. I highly recommend either one of his restaurants. I look forward to stopping in again on the popular Fried Chicken nights on Wednesdays.

Travis Timmons, 38, came from Chandler to Tuesday evening’s demonstration. As a former cook, Timmons said he liked “getting to know the chef personally, where his influences come from and the stories behind why he cooks things that way.” – Downtown Devil

Chef Matt Taylor

Phoenix Public Market brought in Matt Taylor from Noca in Phoenix for their popular Winter Chef series to put on a cooking demonstration for us. I love these types of events as not only do you get to eat some amazing food, but you get to know the chef behind the food. They like to share some tips on cooking and some fun kitchen stories.

Matt Taylor has worked with four James Beard award-winning chefs and comes from the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. He’s a pretty young chef and brings a Southern style cuisine to Noca. I enjoyed both his personality and his cooking style. I loved the risotto and the beignets were delicious and paired well with the dessert wine.